Pages

White Spinach + Cilantro Queso (Lazy College Student Edition)

I had totally planned to get you guys this queso recipe
in time for Super Bowl Sunday, but the big game came and went while I obsessed
over Valentine’s Day crafts! I did end up making this last minute for a small
get together that weekend though, which is when I snapped these few pictures.
And rather than wait a whole year to share the best queso I have ever made at
next year’s bowl, I figured that life is always a party and a little melted
cheese can be just one more way to celebrate. (Plus, in my hometown of San
Antonio, Texas, last week was Fiesta!!)

What’s special here is the white cheese, cilantro and
spinach that makes this recipe simultaneously fresh and rich, as such cheesy
goodness should be. Think of this as classic queso’s classy cousin—like the
high society version of that Velveeta, Rotel and ground beef! And yes, I did
just talk about cheese that much. (I mean, I’m from Texas. Queso’s practically
a staple food here!) This is also really reminiscent of the queso blanco from
Chili’s if you’ve ever tried it! Just to give you a heads up of what you are
getting into.

The recipe was snagged from The Recipe
Critic, but we made a few adaptations for the lazy/college student cook,
and threw in a few of our own preparation tips. I hope you will adore this
cheesy goodness as much as I do!

Heat oil over medium heat, and sauté onions until tender.
(They should slice easily from the pressure of a spatula.) Add cheeses and milk
and stir until melted. Now add the spinach, and stir until wilted and/or defrosted.
Drain and add the Rotel, and stir in the cilantro paste. Mix well. Serve while melty
and delicious!

It’s easiest to keep the queso ooey and gooey by storing
it in a small crockpot on low heat, stirring occasionally so that it doesn’t
burn onto the sides! Our favorite chips to eat with this are Tostitos scoops, Fritos,
and, surprisingly, rosemary naan chips. Some more fun things we’ve dipped in
queso are toasted slices of baguette, shrimp, and even veggie fries like these
green bean fries! (We made those for Thanksgiving and they were en
pointe/on point. Depends on if I’m feeling French or not.)